2009 Nissan Maxima starting at $29,290

Click above for a high-res gallery of the 2009 Nissan Maxima.

You can now walk down to your local Nissan retailer and plop your backside in the 2009 Maxima that breathes new life into the old Four Door Sports Car legend of the second-generation Maxima. Like the revised Murano, the tweaked Maxima offers more than just new lights. Standard equipment is up, as is horsepower. A standard Maxima 3.5S offers more goodies for $29,290; an '08 equipped the same way would cost nearly $30,000, while the most important metric is the 290 horsepower the fabulous VQ V6 now thumps out. Stepping up a trim level to the 3.5 SV will have you shelling out $31,990, and you can doll it up with sportier suspension tune with 19" rims, super-comfy premium seats, a big 'ol two panel moonroof, and a back up monitor, just to name a few goodies.
A new interior design improves upon what the '08 carried, which wasn't bad to begin with, unlike some previous Nissans. If any vehicle can live up to the 4DSC stickers, it's the latest iteration of the Maxima, the car that originated the phrase; to properly carry the moniker, it must. You can view the full press release after the jump and check out our First Drive of the 2009 Nissan Maxima before making the trek to the dealer.

[Source: Nissan]

PRESS RELEASE

Nissan Announces Pricing on All-New 2009 Maxima

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (June 24, 2008) - Nissan North America, Inc. announced pricing on the all-new, flagship 2009 Nissan Maxima, which goes on sale today at Nissan dealers nationwide. The seventh generation Maxima returns to its heritage as "The 4-Door Sports Car™," combining thrilling performance with premium sedan comfort, quality and amenities. It features all-new sports styling, a driver-oriented interior and an enhanced 290-horsepower 3.5-liter DOHC V6 engine – offering 35 more horsepower than the previous generation Maxima and better fuel economy (EPA estimated 19 mpg City/26 mpg Highway versus 19/25 mpg for the 2008 Maxima).

The 2009 Maxima is offered in two well-equipped models, Maxima 3.5 S and Maxima 3.5 SV, each equipped with standard 3.5-liter V6 and intelligent Xtronic CVT™ (Continuously Variable Transmission). Prices start at a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP)* of $29,290 for the Maxima 3.5 S and $31,990 for the Maxima 3.5 SV.

"The 2009 Maxima 3.5 S features an increase in standard equipment, horsepower and style, combined with better fuel economy, yet remains very competitively priced with nearly $400 more value than the 2008 Maxima 3.5 SE," said Al Castignetti, vice president and general manager, Nissan Division, Nissan North America, Inc. "As the flagship of Nissan's exciting 2009 lineup, this new Maxima sets the standard in every category, including value."

The 2009 Maxima is also available with several new option packages, including the Sport Package (3.5 SV), with sport-tuned suspension, 19-inch aluminum-alloy wheels, premium leather-appointed seats, paddle shifters and more; and the Premium Package (3.5 SV), with dual panel moonroof, 7-inch color monitor with RearView Monitor, Eucalyptus wood-tone trim and more.

About the 2009 Nissan Maxima
Designed as a commanding four-door sports car, Maxima is unique in both appearance and driving feel. High targets were established for the development of the new Maxima, including the goal of creating "the best performing front engine, front-wheel drive car in the world," along with the goals of class-leading acceleration, braking, handling, craftsmanship and cockpit design.

The breakthrough exterior design of the new Maxima imparts a feeling of "liquid motion," which combines an aggressive stance and powerful fender design – not unlike many exotic sports cars on the market today. Maxima's new stance comes, in part, from a slight reduction in wheelbase and overall length, along with a wider front and rear track.

The new Maxima's interior design team developed an interior concept of "Super Cockpit" – imparting the feeling of sports car with controls ergonomically close, yet with ample roominess and comfort for both driver and passengers. The interior includes a special driver's sport seat, available leather-appointed seating, offset shifter lever that is closer to the driver, "Daylight Illumination" gauges and a wide range of available technology, including a Bose® audio system, RearView Monitor and Nissan Hard Drive Navigation system with XM NavTraffic® real-time traffic information (active XM® subscription required, sold separately), Voice Recognition and 9.3GB Music Box Hard Drive.

The 2009 Maxima comes equipped with a standard 3.5-liter DOHC 24-valve VQ-series V6 engine, rated at 290 horsepower and 261 lb-ft of torque. The new Maxima's standard intelligent Xtronic CVT™ is tuned specifically for the car's sporty driving character. It includes a manual mode, new "Ds mode" (drive sport) and available paddle shifters.

In North America, Nissan's operations include automotive styling, engineering, consumer and corporate financing, sales and marketing, distribution and manufacturing. Nissan is dedicated to improving the environment under the Nissan Green Program 2010, whose key priorities are reducing CO2 emissions, cutting other emissions and increasing recycling.
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* MSRP excludes applicable tax, title and license fees. Dealer sets actual price. Prices and specs are subject to change without notice.